Rappler's latest stories on Senate of the Philippines
Senators say ABS-CBN case sets a precedent: 'Toe the line or get shut down'
(UPDATED) 'The sword of Damocles will continue to hang perilously over other media networks. Both the legislators and the executive can wield the sword at their whim and caprice,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Tolentino wants tax deductions for employees working from home
Senator Francis Tolentino wants employees to receive tax deductions for the additional electricity consumption under the work-from-home scheme, or for employers to cover for the bill increase
Opposition lawmakers: Resist anti-terror law – the 'death warrant to human rights'
'We will show them that in the face of repression, an awakened people will resist and fight back' says Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate
Isn't it ironic? Poor connection forces suspension of Senate hearing on internet
Telco representatives are not spared from bad internet connection
Walang signal? NTC skips Senate hearing on online learning
''Pag may technical problems ang NTC, parang nawawalan ako ng pag-asa sa online learning na mangyayari sa bansa natin,' says Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
DepEd: 40% of public school teachers trained for distance learning
A Department of Education official tells a Senate panel that so far, 300,000 of the country's 800,000 public school teachers have been trained for distance learning, with just two months left before the opening of classes
Senate under 'semi-lockdown' as 2 employees test positive
Senate President Tito Sotto says employees who don't want to go to office are allowed to work from home
Senators mourn death of 'NPC big boss' Danding Cojuangco
(UPDATED) Nationalist People's Coalition members at the Senate recount Danding Cojuangco's contributions to politics and business
Lawmakers oppose proposal to delay universal health care law implementation
Senator Risa Hontiveros tells PhilHealth the coronavirus pandemic is the 'litmus test' for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act
Senate Electoral Tribunal junks quo warranto vs Koko Pimentel
The Senate Electoral Tribunal dismisses two quo warranto petitions against Senator Koko Pimentel for lack of merit
Robredo: Be wary of Ressa verdict's ‘chilling’ effect on citizens’ freedoms
'Silencing, harassing, and weaponizing law against the media sends a clear message to every dissenting voice: Keep quiet or you are next,' warns Vice President Leni Robredo
Lawmakers to Filipinos: Resist repression as Ressa's conviction 'not the last'
(UPDATED) 'We are complicit if we stay silent,' says Senator Risa Hontiveros
Senators hit BIR: 'Ang luwag sa POGO, ang lupit sa Pilipino'
'Imbes na online sellers, baka puwedeng singilin muna ang mga POGO na may P50 billion in unpaid taxes?' asks Senator Risa Hontiveros
Malacañang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no
'The Constitution takes precedence over ordinary legislation,' says Senator Drilon on Malacañang's assertion
Senate session adjourns without passing Bayanihan 2
Bayanihan to Heal As One Act – the law giving President Duterte emergency powers to respond to the coronavirus pandemic – will expire on Friday, June 5
Recto: Compensation for virus-hit health workers should be tax-free
'The taxman should not have a share of the state’s monetary thank you to these heroes,' says Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto
Refusing to be questioned, Go tells Drilon: 'I'm not your student'
'It depends on the issue, Mr President, if I’m willing to be interpellated. It's my privilege,' says Senator Bong Go as he refuses to take questions on his privilege speech
LIVE: Senate hearing on Bayanihan 2 bill
If passed, the Bayanihan 2 bill would be effective until September 30, unless extended by Congress
Senate approves Bayanihan 2 bill on second reading
The Bayanihan to Recover as One bill has a P140-billion 'standby fund' for test kits, assistance to labor, transportation, tourism, and agriculture sectors, and capital infusion to government financial instruments
Bato dela Rosa joins senators in welcoming shelved VFA termination
'Foreign policies can be flexible at times,' says Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, whose canceled US visa triggered President Duterte's earlier decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US
Sotto to critics: Only terrorists, supporters afraid of anti-terror bill
Senator Risa Hontiveros and Senator Francis Pangilinan, the two senators who voted against the measure at the Senate, question the urgency in passing the anti-terrorism bill
Senators slam DOTr's 'poor planning, lack of foresight' for commuters
'Dapat maramdaman nila ang hirap na pinagdadaanan ng mga commuter. They won't be able to plan well if they don't feel and understand the people's daily struggles,' says Senator Nancy Binay
Senators unanimously approve proposal to delay start of classes
(UPDATED) Senate Bill 1541 seeks to give the President the power to set the start of classes later than August during a state of emergency
Fears of losing freedoms escalate as Congress rushes to pass anti-terror bill
The bill would empower a council of top cabinet officials to do functions usually reserved for the courts, like ordering the warrantless arrest and detention of people and groups perceived to be terrorists
'Sarap ng buhay' no more? Sotto orders Bato to attend June 1 session physically
After getting slammed on social media over an insensitive remark, neophyte Senator Bato dela Rosa is asked to return to work in the Senate building
LIVE: Senate committee of the whole inquiry on COVID-19 measures
Watch the Senate inquiry live on Rappler
LIVE: Senate hearing on non-expiration of franchises
Watch the Senate hearing live on Rappler
LIVE: Senate hearing on managing health emergencies
Watch the hearing live on Rappler, Tuesday, May 26, at 10 am
‘Nakakabahala’: Senators hit Duque over false claims on COVID-19 contagion
'Sobrang nakakabahala...kung ang secretary of health na mismo ang nagpapakalat ng maling information tungkol sa COVID-19,' Senator Nancy Binay says
WATCH: Senate hearing on ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Watch the Senate session live on Rappler
Senate approves longer jail time for people who lie under oath
Government officials who commit perjury also face a more severe penalty of up to 12 years in prison and a fine not exceeding P1 million, based on a bill approved on final reading by 20 senators
Tito Sotto trends after he abstains from voting on ABS-CBN reso
Resolution No. 395, which asks the NTC to reconsider its cease and desist order against the network, only 'expresses' the sense of the Senate. It does not have the effect of a law.
Senate to NTC: Reconsider ABS-CBN shutdown order
9 senators abstain from voting, including Senator Pia Cayetano who initially signed the resolution. Cayetano withdraws her signature.
LIVE: Senate hearing on resumption of public transport
Watch the hearing live on Rappler at 10:30 am on Monday, May 11
13 senators urge NTC to reconsider ABS-CBN shutdown order
13 senators file a resolution asking the Senate to express its sense on the National Telecommunications Commission shutdown order against ABS-CBN
Senate to probe gov't coronavirus measures starting May 11
The Senate will invite the economic managers and members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases
Calida: Blame Congress, not me, for off-the-air ABS-CBN
'Why hasn’t Congress acted on it? Who is at fault here?' says Solicitor General Jose Calida the morning after a cease and desist order silences the Philippine broadcast behemoth
ABS-CBN shutdown a 'betrayal of 11,000 workers,' labor groups say
'To shut down a major media outfit and render the more than 11,000 workers jobless at a time when the country is reeling from a pandemic is the height of callousness!' says labor group Sentro
'Grave abuse of power,' senators condemn NTC flip-flop on ABS-CBN
(UPDATED) Senators slammed the National Telecommunications Commission for turning away from its commitment that it will issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN
Senate approves alternative learning bill on final reading
'The ALS Act is, in its very essence, a bill about second chances. It is a bill about providing opportunities for a better life to our fellow Filipinos who have fallen into hard times,' says Senator Gatchalian
Congress holds first-ever 'hybrid' session
The two chambers of Congress take different routes in adopting teleconferencing as part of their proceedings
POGOs like BPOs? Drilon says PH to lose franchise tax, license fees
Senator Risa Honriveros also slams Pagcor for releasing a full-page ad on POGOs, asking why the regulatory body is doing public relations for them
FALSE: 6 senators refuse to give coronavirus aid
Senators Poe, Hontiveros, Pangilinan, Drilon, Villar, and Recto have responded to the crisis by legislating laws and providing aid
[OPINION] Excluding De Lima and others
(UPDATED) Unfortunately, in the face of this clear need to close ranks, the national government is undermining such unity
After recovering, Sonny Angara tests positive again for coronavirus
The senator already recovered from COVID-19 in early April
Drilon says convening May 4 session to violate lockdown rules
Senate President Tito Sotto says following Drilon's proposal to hold a virtual session on May 4 might put the proceeding in question
De Lima says excluding her from Senate virtual sessions mere 'petty politics'
'Malinaw na ayaw lang talaga ng mga nasa kapangyarihan na ipalahok ako sa mga deliberasyon sa Senado,' says Senator De Lima
Senators eye virtual committee hearings, sessions
Detained Senator Leila de Lima will still not be allowed to join the virtual sessions, Senate President Vicente Sotto III says, citing lack of jurisdiction
Senate to convene for session on May 4
A resolution that will tackle the legislative work in the Senate during the lockdown is being prepared
Duterte backs Duque amid resignation calls
'The President expects him to work even harder to set aside any doubts on his capacity and sincerity to serve the public during these difficult times,' says Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea
